Previous session
For our final Go-Ride session before the summer holidays, we all enjoyed a family ride at Fineshade Wood, near Corby, on Saturday 20 July. Over 50 riders in total joined us, with over 25 of those being regular Go-Ride members.
The weather held out for us and we had some sunshine as we made our way around the trail, the children all enjoyed trying out and riding the technical sections, showing the skills they have learnt to their parents, as well as being able to practice and get better.
Many of our adults also tried to ‘show the youngsters how it’s done’ and found the technical sections to be quite challenging! And we found that it was the parents we were patching up after little spills! (and a fairly hefty one by Jim!) and not one of the children, so full credit to their skills (perhaps it was them that were showing the parents how it’s done!). We may need to start an adult Go-Ride club as well!
Mountain biking
Round 6 of MSG was held on 4 August at Hinchingbrooke Park. We had a number of riders competing; Sapphire seems to have got into MTB racing at last and was duly rewarded with a podium! Great to see so many club shirts out there and St Ives gained podiums for Molly (1st – youth female), Charlotte (2nd – youth female), Holly (3rd – Juvenile), Sam T (3rd – U12 boys), Sophie (2nd – U12 girls), Bea (2nd – U9 girls) and Sapphire in her first race (3rd – U9 girls). Choosing our racer of the year is going to be tough at the 2013 awards … Full results are on http:\\www.timelaps.co.uk
A massive thank you goes to everyone who helped marshal the day; we had a number of Go -Ride parents volunteering and the MSG organisers were impressed (and grateful!) that we managed to field more marshals in our event than any two events in the series combined!
The next MSG round is this Sunday at Langdon Hills. Pre entry is now closed but there may be some entries available on the day. Check out the MSG website for more details, http://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk.
Although it feels like a while ago, I must mention Molly’s fantastic result for achieving 5th place in the National MTB XC Championships at Glasgow in July – you can read about Molly’s exploits lap by lap on her regular blog, http://mollywilliamsmtb.blogspot.co.uk . There is a link on the St Ives CC home page also. Not bad for someone who lives in the flattest part of the country!
Finally in MTB, congratulations to Molly and Holly who have been selected to represent the Eastern Region in the MTB championships following selection at the Hadleigh Farm Olympic course last weekend. The female team consists of 2 St Ives riders and 2 Colchester riders so this is great for the club. Holly has also been invited onto the final BC Regional School of Racing session ahead of the championships, despite being only 12 (the usual minimum age is 14). The Championships are on 4-6 October at Hadleigh Farm on the Olympic course so that is going to be spectacular!
Track racing
Sophie and Sam H have continued to compete regularly in the Friday league at Welwyn track over the summer and are producing some great results. The final Welwyn sessions at Block 3 Superclub are now underway with Sophie, Sam, Poppy and Amber attending.
We hope to open up some more track places next year when Welwyn starts again, but only previous attendees will be eligible over the winter to progress on the indoor track. I will write separately to eligible riders about these sessions.
Club Time Trials
A number of riders have continued to ride TTs over the summer and last night (4th September) was the final TT of the year. Almost perfect conditions last night resulted in a number of PBs including Holly (31.47), Sam (34:43) and Oliver (26:19).
If you are over 12, you can race time trials on the road. Next week is the annual Hill Climb at Barham, just off the A14. This starts at 6.45 (sign on by 6.15) so let me know if you are interested as Chris P will be sending out details shortly.
Circuit racing
A few riders got their first taste of circuit racing when St Ives hosted the final round of the ERYCS series at Alconbury Weald with Holly and CC gaining their first circuit podiums with 2nd and 3rd position respectively in the U14s. Again thanks to all the parents who marshalled as without marshalls we cannot put these events on.
Next session
Two sessions this weekend:
– Mountain bikes: Hinchingbrooke Park at usual time of 10am – 11.30 am
– Road bikes: Alconbury Weald at 14:00 – 15:00. Please let me know if you would like to come as numbers will be limited ands I need to give details to security to access the site. I will send out more details to those attending separately but for those that have attended before, we will be at the nuclear bunker at the back of the site this week. Ideally you need to have a road bike to get the most out of this session. The club has 2 Islabikes available to borrow for the road sessions on a first come first served basis.
Sessions cost £3 and please bring a water based drink, bike and helmet.
Please, please, please check that you have bar end plugs in your handlebars before you come. We are still seeing a number of bikes turning up without this which is dangerous in the event of a fall.
Future dates
All the dates for Hinchingbrooke Park are on the St Ives CC website so please check that out. Alconbury sessions will generally follow in the afternoons on the same day as Hinchingbrooke, but may be variable due to other commitments. Anyone interested in taking up coaching so we can extend the availability of sessions, please get in touch!
And finally…
Mark Wyer will be running Go-Ride Racing Freewheelers Omniums for U8/U10/U12 at the Ashwell Grass Track event on Saturday 14 September. The Ashwell Grass Track is on Small Gains Lane off Station Road, Ashwell. There will be a 5 event Omnium with some fun events thrown in. Entry on the line, just £3. 1pm start. Please contact Mark for more information, contact Mark Wyer on markwyer@britishcycling.org.uk. You don’t need a special bike for this so get involved!
